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| Updated: Friday November 20th, 2009 01:54:26 PM PST |
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| SUN. UPDATE: PREVIEW AND COVERAGE OF BACKLASH; CELEBRITY AT TV THIS WEEK; WWE TV NOTES; HOGAN |
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We're looking for your thoughts on tonight's Backlash PPV, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to
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We're looking for reports on the Friday night WWE shows in Geneva, Switzerland and Belfast, as well as the TNA shows on Friday night in Cleveland, last night in Niles, OH and today's show in Columbus, OH. Tonight's Backlash PPV is from Providence and the Dunkin Donuts Center, which is sold out: *HHH & Shane McMahon & Batista vs. Randy Orton & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase with the WWE title being able to change on a DQ or count out and if the heels win, Orton becomes champion - A feud that has had a big push but in many ways has been flat. Keys have been storyline teases of either Shane or Batista turning on the other, plus that in doing so and losing the match, one (preferably Batista) could cost HHH the title. I sense a good shot at a fluke heel win here, except I'd also get the sense of the same thing happening in the other title match. *John Cena vs. Edge last man standing for the World title - Should be a great match. Keys here is that Cena will be fighting through a storyline concussion, and the idea of the face champ going into a match with an injury and dropping it goes back in the territory to Bruno Sammartino and Ivan Koloff in 1971 WWWF. The title change here is logical since Smackdown doesn't have a champ and obviously needs one at some point, and Cena is doing a movie this summer. It doesn't necessarily have to happen here, of course. We got a report of an ad that got out early for a Smackdown house show that listed Edge as World champion, but that doesn't necessarily mean the change is here. USA Network was running promos for Raw tomorrow talking about Cena as champ appearing. Still, Edge being champion a month from now seems likely. These two always have good matches and last man standing bouts in WWF are usually excellent because they have protected that stip. *Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy I Quit match - This appears to be the blow-off of the program, and by all rights, Jeff should win. If Jeff doesn't win, it's an indication they aren't confident he's staying when his contract expires. If Jeff does win, but Matt lays him out after, it could still mean the same thing (the RVD vs. Randy Orton stretcher match when RVD was leaving saw them put RVD over even though it made no sense because they thought too many knew the finish, but Orton still laid out RVD after). Jeff winning and a triumphant end to the program means they are confident Jeff isn't leaving. Plus, I think after Mania, they are motivated to have a strong match. *Chris Jericho vs. Ricky Steamboat - For a lot of people, this is the most anticipated match on the show. The usual WWE deal of beating the legend would indicate a Jericho win, which most are expecting. I'd book it differently, and have whoever Jericho is doing his first Smackdown program with (Jeff Hardy, Rey Mysterio and C.M. Punk seemingly the best shots) screw Jericho and cost him the match. Either way, a babyface on Smackdown should be there at the end and this should transition into his new program. *Jack Swagger vs. Christian for the ECW title - These two have had strong house show matches every night, so I hope they're given 12-14 minutes and not have to rush through it. My gut tells me this is the right time for a switch, but if they are going to do anything with that Tommy Dreamer storyline, then Swagger needs to have the title another six weeks. *Kane vs. C.M. Punk - I don't think it really matters who wins here as long as the match is good. Punk won on TV Monday, but Kane pinned Punk in a tag match on Thursday so it could go either way. If you look at the show on paper, it should be good. The key to me is not to put the trios match last, hope the people get into Christian-Swagger because the work will be there, and hope Jericho and Steamboat mesh because a bad match in that position will be a downer. If Jericho and Steamboat have a good match, by feeling is the crowd will make it a great one, plus I'm hoping they lay it out as a Smackdown match and we get Jim Ross on the call. But nothing on the show except Punk vs. Kane should be anything less than good, and a few matches have the potential to be great. We will have live coverage of the show starting at 8 p.m. Eastern time tonight. We'll also have our live recap on Wrestling Observer radio tonight after the show. Raw will be in Bridgeport, CT and Smackdown will be in Madison Square Garden, with MVP vs. Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. title. Both events are already sold out. Bully Beatdown airs tonight on MTV at 9:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. This coming Monday's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, available today on the web site, features an in-depth analysis of WWE's booking, stars and brands going forward. We look at how the draft has changed the rosters and when it starts going into effect next week, what it should mean to the company, looking at the big moves, analyzing each change and the positives and possible negatives and then running down each roster. This issue is a must if you're a WWE fan as we talk about prospective programs, who is expected to step up and who looks to be buried. We look at what major move that hasn't been done that has to be considered if things stay as they are. In it, we discuss the Jeff Hardy situation and why it is the single most important roster issue currently facing the company, as well as who needs to step up, who needs to get a shot, and what type of person should be brought in and why it's most likely not to happen. We look at a pairing for six months or more down the road that could at least generate excitement at the matches, if not help draw slightly. We look at three key players on the Smackdown brand who look to be getting a shot. We also look at a major positive in WWE over the past few months that nobody has talked about, and likely what led to it. In particular, we go through the younger talent, as well as two major names that aren't in WWE that have been talked about in creative and what is still the biggest long-term problem facing the company from a talent standpoint. The issue is available today for premium members of the web site. You can get approximately ten issues of the Observer per month, six current issues and four or five issues from the past, along with Figure Four Weekly and the Dragon King historical newsletter, as well as multiple daily radio shows as a site subscriber and you can go to the front page for information on that. You can also subscribe to the print Observer with details here. We also look at the retirement of Chuck Liddell and his records and role in the popularity of the UFC organization and MMA in general. We've got a complete rundown of the very controversial UFC 97 show in Montreal, including what next for Anderson Silva including surprising comments from Dana White, what the show is likely to mean for the future. We look at the potential of Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre, the middleweight division, plus what attendance marks were set and weren't set in Montreal. We also examine Silva's new records and one that in a sense can be taken different ways. We also have full coverage of the show itself, with a match-by-match rundown, thoughts on each match and poll results. We also look at a TNA PPV show that had a lot of questions coming out of it, including the decision to make Mick Foley world champion, what the Spike ratings mean, what the attendance meant, early buy rate thoughts. We also have extensive coverage of Bobby Lashley in TNA and MMA, from a marketability standpoint and in doing both at the same time. We also have notes on Taz's new role in TNA, several injuries, what happened that changed TV plans for this week and more. We also have match-by-match coverage with star ratings and poll results on the show. We also look at a new thing Vince McMahon is doing for the first time in a few weeks, early notes on the business of the Legends of Wrestlemania video game, updated thoughts on Backlash, notes on a booking plan for the fall and next round of foreign television tapings. We have thoughts on the Superstars debut, what the ratings of the show indicated and thoughts on how this may affect TNA going the same night. We also have notes on a WWE Hall of Famer who was quietly cut this past week. We also have thoughts on the ECW title situation and the Christian vs. Swagger feud, thoughts on Tiffany, Natalya, Cena vs. Jericho, what is going wrong with HHH vs. Orton and Bryan Alvarez talks about who he thinks may be one of the best workers upcoming in the business. We also have a funny story about WWE PR, in a story that completely wasn't true and they floated to a number of media outlets, including the outlet that bit and reported it. We also look at the couple that was on different brands and were put back together, as well as best selling WWE DVDs, funny announcer stories from the past week including comments edited off replays of one the shows and Lawler having to apologize for something he said. We have updated late May international lineups to show this week's direction, as well as lots of notes from Europe including rundown of most of the shows over the past week with business notes on the tour. We also have a fun look back at the Midnight Express & Jim Cornette, one of the great tag teams in wrestling history, including a look at the new record book for the team that Cornette put out. We review the project, talk about the tenure of the team, how it got put together, the unique way Stan Lane got started in wrestling, the concept of if the business would be hurt if wrestling was "exposed," violence in certain territories as well as the heyday of both Bill Watts' Mid South Wrestling and of Jim Crockett Promotions, and why the Midnight Express as a unit never went to WWE. The Wrestling Observer ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA all over the world. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sites and has the most complete look at the business as a whole anywhere. The Observer is now in its 27th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. 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address or subscribe via check, cash or money order, as well as credit card, by mail, by sending to Wrestling Observer Newsletter, P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228. We also have our regular Observer weekly features including the most detailed look at the TV ratings of the major shows this past week including the segment-by-segment notes from the major shows so you can see which matches and angles got people more into and less into the show, as well as the results from the major league arena events over the past week, and the major TV show reviews. Also in this week's issue: --What the Strikeforce rating shows --What TV show is continuing to decline on a weekly basis --With the exception of Raw, what TV show in the past two weeks did a blow away number but died at the live box office --Juventud Guerrera holds a press conference and announces his next plans regarding Konnan and Jack Evans --A major pro wrestling commission issue as a commission attempts to block what was planned to be a main event on one of the next major shows and how two different major promotions' top stars fit into this ruling if it is consistent --Family member of the owners of a promotion quit over frustration --One of the grossest angles in years and where it came from --Dragon Gate's next huge show with three title matches and major singles action --First meeting between two of the top stars of the last 15 years coming in two weeks --Why more dream matches and interpromotional matches are expected for the rest of this year in Japan --Long-time tag team starts its feud --More on the circumstances of the death of Andrew Martin --Tons of thoughts on the Hulk Hogan "Rolling Stone" article --One of the funniest mainstream lines ever written on pro wrestling --Real facts about Wrestlemania I --Notes from this year's Cauliflower Alley banquet --What pro wrestling legend is trying to mentor a former TNA wrestler to get her a gimmick and a major job --Wrestler set to be inducted in Hall of Fame cancels trip for induction --The TV commercial that aired in certain markets on Raw that everyone is talking about that has seen it --Update on John Cena and Dwayne Johnson movie business and estimates of how much in the hole 12 Rounds is right now --What happened with Larry Sweeney and ROH --More on Ric Flair and ROH --How a TNA TV show led to an ROH angle --Taz talks about what he will never do again in wrestling --A look at new characters debuting in TNA --Update on Junie Browning in UFC --Future WEC booking plans --ESPN coverage of a major MMA behind-the-scenes story --Interesting notes from the recent episode of Ultimate Fighter --What major promotions company has folded and reopened under a new name and what that means to its stars right now --Why a non-UFC show next month is so important to the future of MMA on a major basis --A look at Bully Beatdown host Mayhem Miller's last fight and talks of a next fight --Major injury coming out of the Strikeforce show --Full details of where Bob Sapp vs. Bobby Lashley stands and notes on the rest of the show, including how to see it live if it happens --Updates on many other negotiations involving Lashley -- New subscribers ordering 24 or 40 issues have to let us know what major story (ies) of the past 11 years you are most interested in and we'll send the issue with the best coverage of that story. We've got coverage of every major PPV event and world wide spectacular, every major star switching promotions, histories of companies like FMW, Rings and New Japan, retirement and obit issues of every major star who fits into those descriptions over the past 11 years, as well as our biggest issue every year, the annual awards issue, and our most controversial issue of every year, the Hall of Fame issue. Our most requested issues in our history are: *November 17, 1997 (full details of everything leading to the most famous wrestling match finish of modern times at the Survivor Series plus a history of in-ring double-crosses) *December 21, 1998 (the complete Vince McMahon-Bret Hart conversation right before the Survivor Series match so you'll know exactly what was said--the conversation played in edited form both on the inaugural broadcast of Confidential as well as in Wrestling with Shadows, but everything that was said between the two about the match that was going to take place that same night) *August 1, 1994 (the most detailed coverage anywhere of the Vince McMahon steroid trial, an issue praised in numerous newspaper article and Sex, Lies and Headlocks) *March 26, 2001 (death of WCW and history of pro wrestling on the Turner networks) *October 22, 2001 (why the adult audience has left pro wrestling in such great numbers and what needed to have been done to save them) *July 8, 1991 (Ric Flair leaves WCW as world champion/Zahorian steroid trial) *February 8, 1993 (the life and times of Andre the Giant) *May 13, 2002 (the life story of the most incredible pro wrestling career ever, a look at Lou Thesz, in one of the largest issues of our history) *January 27, 2003 (part one of the two-part series covering the career and life of The Sheik) *February 3, 2003 (Part two on The Sheik including thoughts from people who worked with him and where he stands historically) *March 24, 2003 (history of the WWWF title, inside behind the Sammartino, Backlund and Backlund era) *April 21, 2003 (history of WWF continues with the expansion nationally, the death of the regional territories and the rise of Hulk Hogan) *May 12, 2003 (The life and death of Elizabeth, and the rise of fall of Lex Luger) *June 9, 2003 (Part 1 of history of WWF vs. WCW wars and what many say was the greatest year in U.S. wrestling; plus a look at Fred Blassie) *June 16, 2003 (Freddie Blassie through the eyes of his biggest rivals and friends) *July 28, 2003 (Part 2 of the history of the WWF vs. WCW war and the plans to make new superstars in the early 90s, what happened, and the night where the three biggest wrestling companies in the world combined for a joint show and what happened) *August 25, 2003 (2003 Hall of Fame issue with huge profiles on the controversial career of Shawn Michaels, Chris Benoit as well as historical features on Earl Caddock and Francisco Flores) *September 22, 2003 (Part 3 of the history of the WWF vs WCW war with the seeds that caused the collapse of the industry in the 90s, Zahorian trial, Gulf War controversy, Flair leaves WCW while holding world title and much more) *October 27, 2003 (The fascinating life of Stu Hart plus the story of Road Warrior Hawk) *January 19, 2004 (2003 Awards issue) *February 2, 2004 (History of Toronto wrestling, Jack Tunney life story, Royal Rumble and Battle Royal history) *February 23, 2004 (History of Guerrero family with Eddy's win over Brock Lesnar) *March 1, 2004 (History of WWF continues with the period that brought the company down in early 1992, the mistakes, the real stories and how the business changed) *March 8, 2004 (History of Wrestlemania, its greatest matches and best and worst shows as voted both by wrestlers and non-wrestlers and Wrestlemania history books) *July 5, 2004 (A look behind the scenes and Ric Flair's book and his background with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan) *July 12, 2004 (A look at more on Ric Flair's book and his comments on Bruno Sammartino, Bret Hart and Mick Foley) *August 16, 2004 (History of the Olympians in pro wrestling) *August 23, 2004 (2004 Hall of Fame issue and biggest issue of the year with huge profiles on Kazushi Sakuraba, Undertaker, Bob Backlund, Masahiro Chono, Ultimo Dragon, Kurt Angle and Tarzan Lopez--this counts as one issue if you are asking for a free issue, but ordered separately, due to size, is $6 in North America and $7 overseas) *October 4, 2004 (the life and times of Big Bossman; as well as details of the life and times of one of the most influential men world wide in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett) *November 15, 2004 (the full story of what happened between Kurt Angle and Daniel Puder, plus coverage of the most important week in the history of TNA) *January 24, 2005 (2004 Awards issue, Rock and WWE part company) *March 14, 2005 (the 50 biggest money players in the history of WWF and a look at their Hall of Fame) *May 9, 2005 (the life and times of Chris Candido) *June 20, 2005 (The full story behind Paul Heyman and the death of ECW, as well as coverage of One Night Stand, Hardcore Homecoming and behind the scenes of both shows) *July 18, 2005 (death of Shinya Hashimoto and his records with a look at the fall of New Japan, the Matt Hardy angle, tons of WWE firings, Cornette firing in detail as well as problems of a WWE developmental territory in our biggest news issue of the year which is a double-sized issue and would be $6 on its own and $7 overseas) *August 24, 2005 (2005 Hall of Fame issue with career profiles of Paul Heyman, HHH and Freebirds plus debut of MMA Hall of Fame) *September 12, 2005 (History of Mid South Wrestling) *October 10, 2005 (Life and Times of the Ultimate Warrior) *November 21, 2005 (Life and Times of Eddy Guerrero and Crusher, double issue $6 on its own and $7 overseas) *December 5, 2005 (The Eddy Guerrero special issue, double issue $6 on its own, $7 overseas) *January 9, 2006 (The life and times of Superstar Billy Graham, plus New Year's Eve 2005 coverage) *January 16, 2006 (2005 Awards double issue, $6 or $7 overseas) *April 3, 2006 (Story of Ann Calvello and the history of Roller Derby--many called this the best issue of the Observer ever) *April 10, 2006 (Behind the scenes at the 2006 Wrestlemania/Hall of Fame week) *July 24, 2006 (The History of the Von Erichs and World Class Championship Wrestling--the most unreal story ever in wrestling) *September 4, 2006 (The Rise and Fall of Kurt Angle; 2006 Hall of Fame inductions of Eddie Guerrero, Paul Bowser, Masakatsu Funaki, Aja Kong and Hiroshi Hase including tons of wrestling history around the world from the 20s through the 60s, the evolution of working to not working in Japan, and a look at Guerrero in hindsight, double issue $6 or $7 overseas) *October 9, 2006 (A look back nine years later at the life and legacy of Brian Pillman with tons of inside information about what made him tick as his real objectives) *November 15, 2006 (History of WCW part one, Eric Bischoff's book and how the industry was changed forever) *November 20, 2006 (History of WCW part two, Why Jim Ross left WCW, How Bischoff changed the company, signing of Hulk Hogan, Beginning of Nitro, Jesse Ventura, Brian Pillman, Chris Jericho and signing Wrestlemania planned celebrity away) *November 27, 2006 (History of WCW part three, When Bischoff challenged McMahon to fight; Truth and fiction around Bret Hart signing with WCW and why it didn't click) *December 6, 2006 (details behind Pride's offers to sell promotion and Part four of History of WCW part four, Hogan-Goldberg match and why there was no rematch, WCW loses NBC network deal in 1999 and the real reasons the company fell apart) *January 22, 2007 (2006 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas) *February 14, 2007 (Life and Times of Bam Bam Bigelow) *March 5, 2007 (WWE begins plans that will change the business) *March 12, 2007 (Life and Times of Mike Awesome) *March 19, 2007 (Life and Times of Ernie Ladd) *April 4, 2007 (Life and Times of Badnews Allen Coage--which many are calling one of the best issues in history) *July 2, 2007 (Part one of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 5, 2007 (Part two of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 10, 2007 (Part three of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 19, 2007 (Part four of the Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 23, 2007 (Part five of Benoit double murder-suicide) *July 25, 2007 (Part six of Benoit double murder-suicide) *August 15, 2007 (The legend of the God of Japanese wrestling and his influence on MMA, Karl Gotch) *October 15 (2007 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas including inductions of The Rock, Tom Packs and the original Strangler Lewis) *November 12, 2007 (Life and times of Fabulous Moolah and history of U.S. women's wrestling) . *December 31, 2007 (History of Ric Flair and the heyday of wrestling at the Greensboro Coliseum) *January 21, 2008 (2007 Awards issue, double issue $7 on its own, $8 overseas) *March 17, 2008 (Life and times of Johnny Weaver) *March 24, 2008 (Life and times of Gary Hart) *April 10, 2008 (Farewell to Ric Flair; My thoughts, Shawn Michaels talks of Flair's meaning to him; Hall of Fame; Wrestlemania double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas) August 11, 2008 (Ric Flair leaves WWE; Updated history of pro wrestlers and MMA fighters who went to the Olympics) September 8, 2008 (2008 Hall of Fame double issue, $7 on its own, $8 overseas; part one of Killer Kowalski bio) September 15, 2008 (Life and Times of Evan Tanner) September 22, 2008 (The amazing career of Killer Kowalski, one of our most in-depth bios) You can also order any of these issues on their own for $4 in North America or $5 overseas. Rates are: For the United States, it is $12 for 4 issues, $29 for 12, $55 for 24, $91 for 40 and $118 for 52. In Canada and Mexico, rates are $13.50 for 4, $33 for 12, $61 for 24, $101 for 40 and $131 or 52. In Europe, you can get the fastest delivery and best rates by sending to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it . For the rest of the world, rates are $15.50 for 4, $41 for 12, $78 for 24, $126 for 40 issues and $163 for 52 . If you order by mail with a check, cash or money order (P.O. Box 1228, Campbell, CA 95009-1228), you can get $1 off in every price range. We now have available personally autographed copies of Tributes II, our latest book, as well as a DVD that comes with it talking more about the subjects in the book. The book covers the life stories of Lou Thesz, Wahoo McDaniel, Elizabeth, Fred Blassie, Road Warrior Hawk, Andre the Giant, Curt Hennig, Johnny Valentine, Davey Boy Smith, Terry Gordy, Owen Hart, Stu Hart, Gorilla Monsoon, The Sheik and Tim Woods. To get all of those biographies as back issues of the Observer would be a $60 value today. This is a collection of some of the best Observer articles of the past several years in a hardcover, full-color format that is 239 pages. There is also a foreword by Bret Hart. The book price is $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping costs in the U.S., $10 for shipping costs to Canada and $12 for shipping costs outside North America. You can order the book the same way you order the newsletter. --Sherri Shepherd of The View is scheduled to be managing MVP in his match on Tuesday night at MSG against Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. title. That may explain why MVP is on the show. Story is at http://www.tvsquad.com/2009/04/26/wwe-meets-the-view/ --As noted, we got a report that there was a TV ad in Pittsburgh for the 5/5 Smackdown taping at the Mellon Arena that called Edge the world heavyweight champion. (thanks to Joshua Reinders) --Spike has five straight hours of UFC tonight from 5-10 p.m. First hour has Georges St. Pierre vs. Matt Hughes (I think this is the Sacramento match from 2006) and Chuck Liddell vs. Renato Sobral. Second hour is a Hughes special airing fights with Carlos Newton, Hayato Sakurai and St. Pierre. Hour three has Jon Fitch vs. Luigi Fiorvanti, Matt Serra vs. St. Pierre and Hughes vs. B.J. Penn. Hour four has Rich Clementi vs. Melvin Guillard (and boy was the crowd in Vegas hot for that one), Jorge Rivera vs. Kendall Grove, Lyoto Machida vs. Sokoudjou and another St. Pierre vs. Hughes fight. So all three Hughes vs. St. Pierre matches air tonight. Final hour was Mike Swick vs. Joe Riggs, Josh Koscheck vs. Ansar Chalangov, Brandon Vera vs. Assuerio Silva and the first St. Pierre vs. Penn match. --As today's CHIKARA show in Philadelphia, it was announced that CHIKARA would be part of the 7/25 Dragon Gate show at the Alhambra in Philadelphia. --Race to Witch Mountain was No. 4 this weekend in Australia. (thanks to James Stanios). Both 12 Rounds and Race to Witch Mountain are largely out of the theaters at this point. Fighting right now is estimated at $11.44 million for the weekend and third place, but it is possible it could end up in second place with Obsessed as the clear No. 1 with a $28.5 million first weekend estimate. --They are advertising HHH & John Cena vs. Edge & Randy Orton in a dark match for Bridgeport tomorrow night. So that means Edge is likely on the show, and with the nature of how they book, a Cena vs. Edge rematch on Raw is not out of the question. --TMZ reported that Mickey Rourke was seen at LAX saying he broke his left hand on the punch to Chris Jericho. As noted in the newsletter, Rourke did leave Texas with his left hand all wrapped, although most considered that just a work. He had nothing on his hand when he was in San Jose six days later for the Shamrock fight. --Lots of people weren't into Smackdown this week Excellent 11.5% Good 33.3% Average 23.1% Fair 10.3% Poor 21.8% 49.7% of those responding didn't see the show. That's much higher than usual for Smackdown. --Is it good Mayhem Miller is doing both MMA and a TV show at the same time? Yes, good crossover marketing for him 64.0% Yes, because he can make money from both 28.6% No, it makes MMA look bad for a guy on a non-MMA TV show to fight 1.7% No, because you can't excel at either by doing both 5.7% Contrast this for yesterday with the same poll involving Bobby Lashley and only 21.3% thought it was good crossover marketing and only 23.7% thought it was good because he can make money from both. 15.9% thought it was bad Lashley was doing two different TV shows but only 1.7% thought it was bad Mayhem was, even though both are essentially scripted television. --Should Sakuraba have main evented in Pride? 84.2% Yes 6.9% Since he was never WWF champ, it doesn't matter that he was a pro wrestler 3.2% No, doing so put business before sport 2.5% No, he did pro wrestling 0.9% No, because he never got a BJJ black belt and therefore doesn't really no submissions --Is it an insult to MMA that Brock Lesnar is main eventing UFC 100? Yes, because he was a pro wrestler and it's fake 0.9% Yes, because GSP is on the show and he's better 2.6% Yes, because every submission guy can beat him blindfolded with their hands tied behind their back and Randy Couture is old and should have been stripped of he title 3.3% Yes, because it shows UFC is a business and not pure sport by putting the guy who sells the most PPVs on top and he didn't pay his dues 5.7% No, and these excuses are ridiculous 87.5% --GOUGE from last night in Stem, NC: Christian York b Joseph Brooks, Jimmy Jack Funk Jr. b Bobo Brazil III, Krazy Killer Klowns b Andrea the giant & Wrestling Superstar & Mommas Boy, Trailer Park Heat b Otto Schwanz and Cue Ball Carmichael (soon to be George Steele Jr.), Seymour Snott b Luther Thesz, Sean Alexander b Jimmy Cicero and Dirty Sanchez, in a ladder match. Next show is 5/30 in Apex, NC at the Iron Horse Bar --Championship Wrestling Alliance from last night in Cranberry, NC before 148 fans: Tony Givens b Chase Owens, Givens b Beau James, Robbie Cassidy b Bryan Wayne-DQ, Jason Kincaid b Cody Ices, Brian Logan b Scotty Roberts, Givens & Cassidy b KMF Inc.-DQ --PWA from last night in Calgary: Dusty Adonis b M, Pete Wilson won 10-man elimination, Homicide b Jack Sloan, Young Lions b Super Wild in a ladder match, Gama Singh Jr. b Chris Steele, A.J. Styles b Randy Myers (thanks to Dwayne Soper) --USWO from Friday night in Nashville: Shawn Hoodrich b Dyron Flynn, Josh Hendrix b Kevin Dunn, White Tiger b James Duncan-DQ, Bryan Casey b Chris Cane, Michael Jablonski over Derrick Neal and Shane Eden, Josh Crowe &Damien Payne NC Tim Renesto & The Saint (thanks to Lekisha Oliver-Burdine) --CHIKARA from last night in Easton, PA: Jagged & Shane Matthews b Frightmare & Hallowicked, Shark Girl b Nevaeh, Helios b Escorpion Egipcio, Player Dos & Brodie Lee & Stigma & Tim Donst b Player Uno & Buck Hawke & Vin Gerard & Hydra, Gran Akuma b Shadow Phoenix, Icarus & Chuck Taylor b Fire Ant & Soldier Ant, Jimmy Olsen b Colin Delaney, Amasis & Ophidian b Jigsaw & Mike Quackenbush. A double hair vs. mask match was announced for next month with FIST vs. The Colony (thanks to Mark Coale) --Larry Matysik will be on talking about the heyday of St. Louis wrestling at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Edward-Loredo --While everything in Mexico City remains canceled due to the Swine flu, which is some scary as hell stuff right now, the rest of the Mexico schedule is still on. Guadalajara today as Mistico & Mascara Dorada & La Sombra vs. Black Warrior & Ultimo Guerrero & Rey Bucanero. Milpa Alta has Octagon & Vampiro vs. Black Abyss & Kenzo Suzuki and X-Pac & Alex Koslov vs. Joe Lider & Nicho. Merida has Angel (don't know about that because he left AAA) & Gronda & Octagon vs. Dark Cuervo & Dark Ozz & Kenzo Suzuki --Mid South Wrestling from last night in Dover, AR before 200 fans: Scott Murdoch b Brandon Groom, Ellis B. Hall b Medic, Matt Riviera b Wes Robinson, Mark Johnson b Bruiser Rick Sweetan, Chas Cardington b Rich Rude, Reckage & Romance b Max McGuirk (Leroy's grandson) & Groom, Atomic Dogg b Prince Al Farat in a street fight (thanks to Matt Riviera) --There is a story about Susan Taylor, a long-time fan battling cancer that has spread to her liver, lungs, stomach and blood who isn't expected to live more than two years, meeting her schoolgirl crush, Tommy Rich, who was a lot of girls crush in the late 70s and early 80s that lived in Georgia at http://gwhforums.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=news&action=display&thread=2761 --DreamWave Wrestling on 5/2 in LaSalle, IL at the Knights of Columbus featuring Jimmy Snuka vs. Dan Lawrence in the main event --The new Globe tabloid has Hulk Hogan on the cover with one of those made up stories about how Linda fears he's going to murder her after the O.J. comments. (thanks to Paul Kacprzak) --During today's NBA game with the Celtics and the Bulls on ABC, a fight broke up and the announcers said it looked like something right out of the WWF. Yes, they said WWF. (thanks to Brian Henke) --Beth Phoenix and Kofi Kingston appear tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. at Central High School in Bridgeport before Raw with Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz in a Smackdown your Vote campaign. Bysiewicz is running for Governor and if she wins the Democratic in 18 months, she would oppose Jodi Rell, who recently appointed Linda McMahon to the State Board of Education.
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